CT PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION IN NODULAR BRONCHIOLOALVEOLAR CARCINOMA

Objective: We retrospectively reviewed CT and pathologic examinations in resected nodular bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (BACs) to correlate the histology with the appearance of the nodules on preoperative thin section CT images. Materials and Methods: Thin section CT scans of 11 patients with nodular BAC were reviewed by two observers. In each case , size, tumor-lung interface, and internal characteristics of the nodu le were recorded and correlated with histopathologic examinations. Res ults: Computed tomography showed a large bronchus leading to or contai ned within the nodule in 36%; spiculated, lobulated, or irregular bord ers in 82%; pleural retraction in 36%; internal inhomogeneity in 45%; and a zone of intermediate attenuation surrounding a higher attenuatio n nodule and separating it from the surrounding lung parenchyma (the C T halo sign) in 18% of the 11 BACs. In two lesions internal serpentine radiolucencies could be seen. Histopathologic studies showed this cor related with the air-containing glandular spaces of the tumor. Conclus ion: The CT halo sign and serpentine radiolucencies should be added to the list of the CT findings of nodular BAC. However histologic examin ation is required to confirm the diagnosis of BAC.